Education Ministry signs US$83,000 agreement to boost TVET

Students who are inclined to the technical and vocational aspect of education will now have a chance to improve their skills following an agreement that was signed between the Education Ministry and the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Thursday.

This signing ceremony was attended by a representative from the OAS, Jean Ricot Dormeus; Education Minister Nicolette Henry; Assistant Chief Education Officer Patrick Chenadu; Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Vibert Welch; and the Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs, Vanessa Dickenson.
Ricot Dormeus, in remarks, stated that, along with this agreement, Guyana has also benefited from a scholarship programme established by the OAS to boost technical and vocational training in secondary and post-secondary institutions.
“It comes under the umbrella of quality, inclusive, equitable education promoted by the Development Corporation Fund managed by the OAS,” Dormeus said.
Implementation of this programme will assist in production of skilled individuals — a necessity in today’s society –and further enhance the sustainable development factor.
“Our people need good jobs and good technical [and] vocational education. They will be able to secure good jobs, and even set up a business of their own, in the future, so that the (country improves and the economy grows),” Dormeus added.
While expressing her gratitude, Minister Henry also explained that this would advance the development of education in Guyana.
“I know that this will be very impactful in the development of our youth population,” she said.
She revealed her cognisance that sometimes the main focus is mainstream academics, and many students do not receive a platform to improve their skills in the technical and vocational areas, which are off the radar. For that reason, she said, this agreement and the injection of the substantial sum will solve this issue. She highlighted, “As you know, we are a country that is looking for development in terms of oil, which is new and different; and we have to prepare our people so that they can be able to manage, and manage well, the resources; and so this will feed in to that broader picture.” The document signing was spearheaded by Assistant Chief Education Officer Patrick Chenadu, who spearheads the technical and vocational education sector. Over the years, the OAS has been a critical partner in the education delivery process, and has now embarked on this new initiative to further assist in the development of the education sector in Guyana. The monies received from the fund will be used for training and in the occupational health and safety bracket.